Urethral duplication and chromosomal translocation in a Swiss braunvieh heifer

Abstract

As it was urinating, a six-month-old Swiss braunvieh heifer produced a second stream of urine from a fistula that opened on the ventrolateral margin of the left vulval lip. A catheter was introduced into this opening and passed easily into the bladder. Urethrography showed that the fistula joined the urethra in the mid-pelvic region and that a single canal originated from the bladder. Endoscopy confirmed this finding and also revealed a duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix, a division of the cranial vagina by a septum and a fibrous band in the region of the hymenal ring. Cytogenetic examination revealed reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 20q23 and 22q23. A diagnosis of urethra duplex, duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix and reciprocal autosomal translocation between chromosomes 20 and 22 was made on the basis of these findings.

Cystoscopic Guided Laser Cauterization in a Dog with Complete Y-Type Urethral Duplication

“…Duplication of the urethra is a rare congenital malformation observed in humans, dogs, cats, heifers, goats, and llamas [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], usually diagnosed in young age. Urethral duplication is characterized by the presence of an accessory urethra, either originating from the bladder neck or arising from the primary urethra; it can be complete if the diverticulum has an external opening, or incomplete if the diverticulum is blind ended.…”